Diego Costa will contest the Football Association's charge of violent conduct, with the full backing of José Mourinho and Chelsea. The club believes there is a campaign against them and has entered a state of lockdown, prompting Mourinho to cancel his scheduled media conference ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with Manchester City.
The decision not to hold the pre-match press briefing at Stamford Bridge is seen as a protest against the Costa charge. It is the second time Mourinho has withdrawn from media duties; he also declined to appear before the Newcastle United fixture after being charged over comments about a “campaign” against Chelsea. Assistant manager Steve Holland stepped in on that occasion, but league regulations require the manager to address rights holders.
The Premier League has already written to Chelsea seeking an explanation for the earlier no-show, and the matter remains unresolved. The league is expected to contact the club again, with the possibility of a fine. Mourinho was fined £25,000 on Wednesday for his remarks, and later that day the FA charged Costa following Tuesday night's Capital One Cup semi-final victory over Liverpool.
Costa is accused of deliberately stamping on Emre Can, though he was spared an additional charge for a separate incident involving Martin Skrtel, which was judged accidental. Costa maintains he had no intention of stamping on an opponent, and Mourinho described the flashpoints as “absolutely accidental”. The striker faces a three-match ban because referee Michael Oliver, who missed the incident, has admitted he would have sent Costa off had he seen it.
The FA is handling the case under its fast-track system, with an independent panel expected to rule on Friday. The FA has a 99% success rate in such matters, making a suspension likely. Costa would miss matches against City, Aston Villa, and Everton. Chelsea intend to submit evidence on his behalf, while Mourinho is prepared to start Didier Drogba if Costa is unavailable.
Mourinho also has concerns over Cesc Fàbregas, who sustained a hamstring injury against Liverpool. The midfielder trained separately with a physiotherapist on Thursday in an attempt to prove his fitness, but his participation against City remains in doubt.
